Cheapest path to 250 HP?

sundaypunch · 06-05-2004, 06:11 AM

So my goal is to find an early roller and do a lightweight S/T or RS look car. I'd prep it for DE and occasional street use. What would be the cheapest route to get a reliable motor in the 250 HP ballpark with good torque?

Ideally I'd find a tired motor at a good price and rebuild it. I'd like to do most of the labor myself with the help of Wayne's engine book. There are plenty of threads that touch on this subject but many of them don't discuss price.

jbripps · jbripps's Garage

I think many will say to get after market exhaust and to add a chip. Which two will maximize your output? Not sure, I'll let the pros suggest that. Of course, this is with a 3.2.

regards,

Grady Clay · 06-05-2004, 07:09 AM

Try this thread:
Best Street Motor

Best,
Grady

sundaypunch · 06-05-2004, 08:01 AM

That is actually one of the threads that got me thinking about this, along with the 3.0 to 3.4 CIS rebuild thread. I would love a MFI 2.8 but didn't know how costs would stack up to other setups.

sammyg2 · 06-05-2004, 09:28 AM

I got my stock 3.0 liter engine into the 250 hp range for under $1200, does that count?

sundaypunch · 06-05-2004, 09:43 AM

So what did you do?

jmz · jmz's Garage

3.2 euro if you can find a decent one, carbs or mass flow and a chip+ good exhaust

sammyg2 · 06-05-2004, 11:33 AM

I started with a semi-tired 3.0 liter CIS injected stock engine, then bought a used turbo set up (with a fresh turbo) for $1000, spent less than a couple hundred on misc. parts/pieces, now up to 7 psi and somewhere in the 250 hp range AFAIK.

Cheapest horsepower there is in the porsche world (no, i'm not going to discuss NOS), plus I can take it all back to stock in a few hours and if I ever wanted to I could sell the turbo system and get my money back.

There aren't very many used BAE turbo systems out there but they can be found. There are at least 5 of us on this board running them, I've seen at least two other kits for sale in the past year or so.

rdane · rdane's Garage

Decent 3.2 Motronic base, chipped, mass air flow, good exhaust with a 98mm 9.8:1 Max Moritz conversion.

Lots of details on the price of new engines and rebuilds via the search button.

Grady Clay · 06-05-2004, 12:52 PM

I agree with rdane. Later (heavier) 911s can benefit greatly from “the best engines.” There are some great ones.

Everyone knows the admonition; “There is no substitute for cubic inches.”

I would be out there building the largest displacement reasonable, EFI, twin plug, and even better electronic feedback.

Best,
Grady